ROZELYN CARRILLO ELEVATED TO ASSISTANT COACH POSITION

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State softball head coach Kristina McSweeney announced on Monday that current graduate assistant and program alum Rozelyn Carrillo has been hired to fill the Jackrabbits' assistant coach position.

Carrillo served as a graduate assistant over the course of the past two seasons. Her graduate assistant role followed her four-year standout career for the Yellow and Blue from 2021-24.

"I'm excited to have Rozelyn move into a full-time position for us going forward," McSweeney said. "She's learned what expectations we have as a staff over the last two seasons. I expect her to step into this position that we anticipate to play a major role in our success. I know that she will take this step motivated to help a program she cares about as somebody who has won at the highest level."

Carrillo, a native of Palmdale, Calif., stepped on to campus as a freshman in the fall of 2020 and made her debut in Yellow and Blue during the 2021 season. That campaign saw her take over shortstop duties for the program on day one and never relinquish them over a four-year span. She was a three-time All-Summit League performer and earned the conference's Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022. That season she also was chosen as an NFCA All-Midwest Region Second Team honoree.

The Palmdale, Calif., native ended her career among the best in school history. She finished on the top 10 charts in multiple categories in the Jackrabbits' record book including second in doubles (41), third in runs batted in (138), total bases (331), and double plays (44), fourth in runs (136), sixth in home runs (27), games played (216) and games started (216), fifth in assists (368), seventh in hits (203). Carrillo is just one of two players in program history to start each game played in that appeared in over 200 contests.

Carrillo has helped the Jackrabbits remain among the contenders in The Summit League during her stint as a graduate assistant. SDSU's 2025 lineup produced numerous top-10 single season records. They include the second-most doubles (89) and walks drawn (222), fourth-most home runs (50), RBIs (285) and total bases (706), fifth-most runs scored (300), sixth best on-base percentage (.395) and eighth highest slugging percentage (.475) in program history.

The numbers in 2026 continued at the plate to be some of the best in SDSU's history. The 2026 squad set a program record in doubles (96) and total bases (812). The Jacks had the second-most home runs (73) and RBIs (295). SDSU's 483 hits rank third all-time in a single season and the Jacks' .512 slugging percentage was the fourth highest mark. SDSU ranked fifth in 2026 in its history in runs scored (313) and walks drawn (185).

Carrillo's assistant position will be catered to SDSU's fielding proficiency. South Dakota State's last two seasons' fielding percentages (.967 and .964) rank among the program's top 10 marks. The Jacks' 24 double plays turned in 2025 set a program record while the 22 double plays in 2026 are tied for the second most.

-GoJacks.com-

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Completed Event: Softball versus #1 Omaha on May 8, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 8 , 5 Inn.

Completed Event: Softball versus #4 South Dakota on May 8, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 2

Completed Event: Softball at #2 St. Thomas on May 7, 2026 , Win , 7, to, 5

Completed Event: Softball versus #3 North Dakota State on May 6, 2026 , Win , 14, to, 2 , 5 Inn.

Completed Event: Softball at North Dakota State on May 2, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 15 , 5 Inn.

Completed Event: Softball at North Dakota State on May 1, 2026 , Loss , 4, to, 13 , 5 Inn.

South Dakota State University Athletics

ROZELYN CARRILLO ELEVATED TO ASSISTANT COACH POSITION

Related News

Related Videos